Question
A male infant was born at 11 pm on August 29, and his jaundice level was measured at 6.5 on the morning of August 30. The jaundice level rose to 17.5 on the morning of August 31. Is this situation severe?
Answer
It is currently not possible to determine whether the jaundice condition is severe. The jaundice level is elevated, but it is still within the peak period of jaundice. Most newborn jaundice is physiological, usually appearing 2 to 3 days after birth, reaching its peak between 4 to 6 days, and gradually subsiding from 7 to 10 days, with recovery typically expected within a month and a half. It is recommended to provide the infant with appropriate sunlight exposure, increase fluid intake, and consider using symptomatic oral liquids. There is no need to be overly concerned, as there are various treatment methods for newborn jaundice, and treatment approaches may vary depending on the symptoms. Therefore, if symptoms are detected, diagnosis and treatment should be carried out early.